Police Officer

Governors State University; University (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance options

Paid time off

Retirement and investment options

Tuition waivers

Job summary

Governors State University seeks a Campus Police Officer within the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The officer provides campus safety, enforcement of regulations, and community-oriented public safety services to the university community.

Responsibilities include patrolling, responding to incidents, investigating, and testifying when required. The role requires strong public relations, the ability to work as part of a team, and adherence to university policies.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license.
• No record of conviction of a felony or misdemeanor per Illinois Police Training Act (50 ILCS 705 et seq.), or a crime involving moral turpitude.
• Eligibility for bonding, if required by the employing institution.

Responsibilities

• Patrol campus on foot and by vehicle and respond to incidents.
• Investigate incidents and prepare written reports and field notes.
• Testify in court and issue citations for local/state moving violations.
• Secure university property and operate department vehicles as needed.
• Assist with emergency responses and coordinate with other agencies as required.
• Provide general office support and maintain records as requested by supervisors.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Valid driver’s license

No felony or misdemeanor conviction per Illinois Police Training Act

Bonding eligibility if required

Job description

Governors State University seeks to fill the position of Campus Police Officer for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) team. As part of an assigned team, Campus Police Officers provide campus safety, security, and law enforcement services to the University community. Campus Police Officers provide a wide range of services, including both traditional and non-traditional police services. Officers are required to participate in crime prevention and community-oriented public safety programming. The successful candidate must project a positive image. Campus Police Officers enforce University regulations, local ordinances, and state laws. Officers are first responders to incidents, accidents, and other emergency situations and are responsible for conducting initial and follow-up investigations into significant and criminal incidents. Campus Police Officers will work under the direction of a police supervisor. Overtime hours are anticipated. This is an entry-level, sworn campus police position.

To preserve and protect life, property, and the rights of all people in accordance with the United States Constitution and laws of the State of Illinois, and to preserve peace within the established limits of the university community by providing high-quality law enforcement and non-related security specialty law enforcement emergency services.

Requires an extreme amount of personal contact when providing service, protection, and/or enforcement of law and rules. Requires ethical behavior, integrity, courtesy and service toward others. Exercise judgment in determining when to use force and to what degree. This position requires community policing, strong public relation skills, discretion, and dissemination and communication of information.

Responsible for actively patrolling and providing public assistance upholding law enforcement and public safety. Any problems that do not fall within the standard operating procedures include all general and special orders and/or guidelines, arrests, emergency situations, and equipment difficulties. This role is responsible for notifying and informing a DPS supervisor at the level above member’s position through the chain of command.

This position requires significant training to be prepared for the inevitable position of answering/ resolving problems that are not in direct accord with policies and procedures. Basic training for this position is instituted and regulated under the laws and regulations of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Upon successful completion of academy graduation and one (1) year probation in the Department of Public Safety, this member should be competent of the duties and responsibilities required for this position, and comprehend legal documents including citations, affidavits, warrants, etc.

All members should gain knowledge of the job during attendance of the daily-roll call meeting held before starting a shift. Various law enforcement certifications will be required through in-service training provided by the Department and/or another Law Enforcement or Emergency Service Agency, and specialized training from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and its supported agency, the North-East Multi-Regional Training, and other training institutions depending on the needs of the department.

Governors State University is planning to conduct the next Physical Fitness Test in October 2026.

50% Perform patrol responsibilities to include foot and vehicular patrols roaming or assigned posts. Investigate incidents and make arrests based on visual, reported, or on warrant violations of state statute, city or county ordinances, or university regulations. Prepares written reports and field notes of investigations and patrol activities. Process detainees and testify in court of law. Issue citations for local and state moving violations. Patrols include interior and exterior of Governors State University (GovState) jurisdictional boundaries or by assignment provided by supervisors.

Open and close buildings and facilities as required by official request of community members. Secure GovState property and equipment. Operate a law enforcement vehicle during day and/or nighttime as well as in inclement weather.

Conduct basic and follow-up investigations primarily due to criminal acts or complaints received from community members. Complete investigations as required and submit reports to supervisors for infractions of rules and regulations of the university, state laws, county laws, and city ordinances. Investigations include fire preventative action and potential security reports for public safety as well as reports of obstructions in streets and sidewalks, holes, leaking faculty utility services, and any other unusual conditions which might endanger public safety.

25% This position serves as the first line of archiving departmental information and is responsible for keeping track of federal government, state, university, police and public safety, and community sharing information. Performs a variety of office support functions including but are not limited to scheduling, providing information orally and in writing, developing or maintaining documents, processing mail, maintaining or coordinating the management of files and records system.

10% Assist community members with first-aid assistance and notify emergency medical assistance.

Relieve and/or assist the Police Telecommunicator with radio communications and telephone answering. Functions include radio dispatch, security monitoring of audio and video equipment, and performing computerized related functions.

Assist local police and fire agencies during emergencies assigned by a Department of Public Safety (DPS) supervisor. During adverse weather conditions, assist with emergency duties as required. Command emergency personnel at accident emergencies and disasters. As liaison, share important information with other agencies, including police, fire, universities, and local governments.

Answer and respond to callers seeking information, respond to emergencies as well as provide general information to community members and visitors.

10% Provide executive security for dignitaries and visitors of our campus community as assigned by a DPS supervisor.

Provide escort services to community members to parking lots and/or to other campus locations assigned by supervisors.

5% Perform related duties as assigned by a DPS supervisor.

Hourly Rate: $27.19 (Rate will increase after 12-month probationary period)

(This position is part of the union - Metropolitan Alliance of Police, Chapter 717)

The Physical Fitness and Electronic Exam will take place at Governors State University in October 2026. You may review testing requirements at Police Series

This position qualifies for an expansive suite of fringe benefits including, various insurance options, paid time off, retirement and investment options, and tuition waivers. Visit: https://www.govst.edu/benefits/

REQUIRED: DOCUMENTATION CONFIRMING HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION OR EQUIVALENT MUST BE ATTACHED FOR CONSIDERATION OF THIS POSITION. COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY TRANSCRIPTS MAY BE SUBSTITUTED (See “Supplemental Information” section below).

Minimum Requirements:

1. High school graduation or equivalent
2. Possession of a valid driver’s license
3. No record of conviction of a felony or misdemeanor as identified in the Illinois Police Training Act (50 ILCS 705 et seq.), or a crime involving moral turpitude
4. Eligibility for bonding, if required by the employing institution
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